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The universe has a perfect order. The size and position of celestial bodies, the speed of the universe's expansion, the Earth's place within our galaxy, the Sun and the Moon, the presence of gravity, and many other factors were created flawlessly to allow for life on Earth.
This chapter includes verses from the Qur'an which have to do with the universe, revealing some examples of God's artistry of creation.
Just as God tells us in the Qur'an "We did not create heaven and Earth and everything between them to no purpose. That is the opinion of those who do not believe..." (Qur'an, 38:27), the universe was created for a purpose. And thus, human beings are responsible for behaving in a way which acknowledges this purpose, and worshipping our Lord Who created it all.
[He is] The Originator of the heavens and Earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, “Be!” and it is. (Qur’an, 2:117)
Praise belongs to God Who created the heavens and the Earth and appointed darkness and light. Then those who do not believe make others equal to their Lord! (Qur’an, 6:1)
It is He Who created the heavens and the Earth with truth. The day He says “Be!” it is. His speech is Truth. The Kingdom will be His on the Day the Trumpet is blown, the Knower of the unseen and the visible. He is the All-Wise, the All-Aware. (Qur’an, 6:73)
Their Messengers said: “Is there any doubt about God, the Bringer into being of the heavens and the Earth? He summons you to forgive you for your wrong actions and to defer you until a specified time.” (Qur’an, 14:10)
God keeps a firm hold on the heavens and Earth, preventing them from vanishing away. And if they vanished no one could then keep hold of them. Certainly He is Most Forbearing, Ever-Forgiving. (Qur’an, 35:41)
O humanity! You are the poor in need of God whereas God is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Qur’an, 35:15)
God is my Lord and your Lord so worship Him. This is a straight path. (Qur’an, 43:64)
That is because God – He is the Truth, and what you call upon besides Him is falsehood... (Qur’an, 31:30)
The creation of the heavens and Earth is far greater than the creation of humanity. But most of humanity do not know it. (Qur’an, 40:57)
That is God, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. (Qur’an, 6:102)
If you ask them: “Who created the heavens and the Earth?” they will say: “God.” Say: “So what do you think? If God desires harm for me, can those you call upon besides God remove His harm? Or if He desires mercy for me, can they withhold His mercy?” Say: “God is enough for me. All those who truly trust put their trust in Him.” (Qur’an, 39:38)
One verse tells us that God "created everything and determined it most exactly" (Qur'an, 25:2). There are countless signs present on Earth of this perfect order. All living and non-living things and systems on Earth clearly display this order, proving with their perfect structure that they could not possibly have come into existence by accident or coincidence, but were created.
The distance between the Sun and the Earth, the ideal levels of gases in the atmosphere, the rays of sunshine which are perfect for allowing photosynthesis, the fixing effect of mountains on the Earth, the formation of night and day, the fact that water is so suitable for life, the presence of animals, fruits, vegetables, clouds, wind, the amazing features of our body cells, the structure of DNA… All of these are just a few examples of God's superior artistry, showing us His limitless power.
God revolves night and day. There is surely a lesson in that for people with inner sight. (Qur’an, 24:44)
It is He Who made the night a cloak for you and sleep a rest, and He made the day a time for rising. (Qur’an, 25:47)
And [I swear] by the night when it draws in and by the dawn when it exhales. (Qur’an, 81:17-18)
... He covers the day with the night, each pursuing the other urgently; and the Sun and Moon and stars are subservient to His command... (Qur’an, 7:54)
It is He Who created night and day and the Sun and Moon, each one swimming in a sphere. (Qur’an, 21:33)
It is He Who created everything on the Earth for you and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all things. (Qur’an, 2:29)
Everything in the heavens and the Earth belongs to God. He knows what you are engaged upon. On the Day when they are returned to Him, He will inform them of what they did... (Qur’an, 24:64)
You will see the mountains you reckoned to be solid going past like clouds – the handiwork of God Who gives to everything its solidity. He is aware of what you do. (Qur’an, 27:88)
He Who created the heavens and the Earth and everything in between them in six days, and then established Himself firmly on the Throne; the All-Merciful – ask anyone who is informed about Him. (Qur’an, 25:59)
Everything in the heavens and Earth belongs to God. God is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Qur’an, 31:26)
He has made night and day subservient to you, and the Sun and Moon and stars, all subject to His command. There are certainly signs in that for people who use their intellect. (Qur’an, 16:12)
And also the things of varying colors He has created for you in the Earth. There is certainly a sign in that for people who pay heed. (Qur’an, 16:13)
Everyone in the heavens and Earth belongs to Him. All are submissive to Him. It is He Who originated creation and then regenerates it. That is very easy for Him. His is the most exalted designation in the heavens and the Earth. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Qur’an, 30:26-27)
He Who created the heavens and the Earth and sends down water for you from the sky by which We make luxuriant gardens grow – you could never make their trees grow. Is there another deity besides God? No indeed, but they are people who equate others with Him! (Qur’an, 27:60)
God is He Who created the heavens and the Earth and everything between them in six days and then established Himself firmly upon the Throne. You have no protector or intercessor apart from Him. So will you not pay heed? (Qur’an, 32:4)
Don’t those who do not believe see that the heavens and the Earth were sewn together and then We unstitched them and that We made from water every living thing? So will they not believe? (Qur’an, 21:30)
[God is the] Lord of the heavens and the Earth and everything between them, the Almighty, the Endlessly Forgiving. (Qur’an, 38:66)
The keys of the heavens and Earth belong to Him. He expands the provision of anyone He wills or restricts it. He has knowledge of all things. (Qur’an, 42:12)
Whatever you have been given is only the enjoyment of the life of this world. What is with God is better and longer lasting for those who believe and trust in their Lord. (Qur’an, 42:36)
Blessed be Him to Whom belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the Earth and everything in between them. The knowledge of the Hour is with Him. You will be returned to Him. (Qur’an, 43:85)
If you were to ask them: “Who created the heavens and the Earth?” they would reply: “The Almighty, the All-Knowing created them.” It is He Who made the Earth a cradle for you and made pathways for you in it so that hopefully you would be guided. (Qur’an, 43:9-10)
We place in it gardens of dates and grapes, and cause springs to gush out in it, so they may eat its fruits – they did not do it themselves. So will they not be thankful? (Qur’an, 36:34-35)
It is God Who created the heavens with no support – you can see them – and cast firmly embedded mountains on the Earth so that it would not move under you... (Qur’an, 31:10)
And the Earth: how We stretched it out and cast firmly embedded mountains onto it and caused luxuriant plants of every kind to grow in it. (Qur’an, 50:7)
Glory be to Him Who created all the pairs: from what the earth produces and from themselves and from things unknown to them. (Qur’an, 36:36)
All praise belongs to God, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the Earth, Lord of all the worlds. All greatness belongs to Him in the heavens and Earth. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Qur’an, 45:36-37)
It is He Who created the heavens and the Earth in six days, then established Himself firmly on the Throne. He knows what goes into the Earth and what comes out of it, what comes down from heaven and what goes up into it. He is with you wherever you are... (Qur’an, 57:4)
We sent down heaven upon them in abundant rain and made rivers flow under them... (Qur’an, 6:6)
... [He will] grant you gardens and grant you waterways. (Qur’an, 71:12)
He sends down water from the sky and river-beds fill up and flow according to their size... (Qur’an, 13:17)
And [We] made the Earth burst forth with gushing springs... (Qur’an, 54:12)
Everything in the heavens and everything in the Earth belongs to God. All matters return to God. (Qur’an, 3:109)
It is He Who sends down abundant rain, after they have lost all hope, and unfolds His mercy... (Qur’an, 42:28)
Everything in the heavens and everything in the Earth belongs to Him. God is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Qur’an, 22:64)
The coloring of God – and what coloring could be better than God’s? It is Him we worship. (Qur’an, 2:138)
We placed firmly embedded mountains on the Earth, so it would not move under them, and We put broad valleys as roadways in it, so that perhaps they might be guided. (Qur’an, 21:31)
He Who made the Earth a stable dwelling place and appointed rivers flowing through its midst and placed firmly embedded mountains on it... (Qur’an, 27:61)
Blessed be He Who placed constellations in the sky and put a blazing lamp and shining Moon among them. (Qur’an, 25:61)
It is He Who made night and day succeed each other for those who want to pay heed or to give thanks. (Qur’an, 25:62)
In the creation of the heavens and Earth, and the alternation of the night and day, and the ships which sail the seas to people’s benefit, and the water which God sends down from the sky – by which He brings the Earth to life when it was dead and scatters about in it creatures of every kind – and the varying direction of the winds, and the clouds subservient between heaven and Earth, there are signs for people who use their intellect. (Qur’an, 2:164)
It is He Who sends down water in due measure from the sky by which We bring a dead land back to life... (Qur’an, 43:11)
It is He Who is God in heaven and God on Earth. He is the All-Wise, the All-Knowing. (Qur’an, 43:84)
It is He Who sends out the winds, bringing advance news of His mercy, so that when they have lifted up the heavy clouds, We dispatch them to a dead land and send down water to it, by means of which We bring forth all kinds of fruit. In the same way We will bring forth the dead, so that hopefully you will pay heed. (Qur’an, 7:57)
God created you and then will take you back again. And some of you revert to the lowest form of life so that after having knowledge, you know nothing at all. God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. (Qur’an, 16:70)
He is God – the Creator, the Maker, the Giver of Form... (Qur’an, 59:24)
[It is] He Who has created all things in the best possible way. He commenced the creation of man from clay. (Qur’an, 32:7)
It is God Who created you from a weak beginning then after weakness gave you strength then after strength ordained weakness and gray hair... (Qur’an, 30:54)
But as for him who feared the Station of his Lord and forbade the lower self its appetites, the Garden will be his refuge. (Qur’an, 79:40-41)
But God will admit those who believe and do right actions into Gardens with rivers flowing under them... (Qur’an, 22:23)
But those who have fear of their Lord will have high-ceilinged halls, and more such halls built one above the other... (Qur’an, 39:20)
Blessed be He Who, if He wishes, will grant you better than that: Gardens with rivers flowing under them; and He will grant you palaces. (Qur’an, 25:10)
Reclining in it [the Garden] on couches, they will experience there neither burning sun nor bitter cold. (Qur’an, 76:13)
Seeing them, you see delight and a great kingdom. (Qur’an, 76:20)
... Gardens where they will enjoy everlasting delight. (Qur’an, 9:21)
... We will lodge them in lofty chambers in the Garden, with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, for ever... (Qur’an, 29:58)
As for those who believed and did right actions, they will be made joyful in a verdant meadow. (Qur’an, 30:15)
Say: “Is that better, or the Garden of eternal life which has been promised to those who guard against evil? That is their recompense and destination.” (Qur’an, 25:15)
They will have in it whatever they want timelessly, for ever. It is a binding promise of your Lord. (Qur’an, 25:16)
Platters and cups of gold will be passed around among them and they will have there all that their hearts desire and their eyes find delight in... (Qur’an, 43:71)
The kingdom of the heavens and Earth belongs to God. God has power over all things. (Qur’an, 3:189)
What is in the heavens and in the Earth belongs to God. God suffices as a Guardian. (Qur’an, 4:132)
Creatures of the world are full of unparalleled examples of God's artistry of creation. From birds to reptiles, from whales to insects, whether large or small, animals have incredible traits which never cease to amaze humans. Some of these traits (such as the way a spider can spin a web stronger than steel of the same diameter, or a bee constructs a honeycomb and produces honey, or the navigational skills of birds) make even the most self-assured person seem helpless. In fact, when humans try to mimic these animal traits, they are usually not capable enough to do it.
Despite all this, some people still deny the wonders of creation in animals. They display a breakdown in logical thinking by not accepting the existence of God, the Creator of both themselves and the universe they inhabit. But their efforts are for naught. Our Creator said this in the Qur'an:
... the truth came and God's command prevailed even though they detested it. (Qur'an, 9:48)
And horses, mules and donkeys both to ride and for adornment... (Qur’an, 16:8)
And also animals for riding and for haulage and animals for slaughtering and for wool... (Qur’an, 6:142)
We have appointed the camels for you as one of the sacred rites of God... (Qur’an, 22:36)
Haven’t they looked at the camel – how it was created? (Qur’an, 88:17)
He has given you everything you have asked Him for. If you tried to number God’s blessings, you could never count them. Man is indeed wrongdoing, ungrateful. (Qur’an, 14:34)
And there is certainly a lesson for you in your livestock. We give you to drink from what is in their bellies and there are many ways in which you benefit from them, and some of them you eat. (Qur’an, 23:21)
There is instruction for you in cattle. From the contents of their bellies, from between the dung and blood, We give you pure milk to drink, easy for drinkers to swallow. (Qur’an, 16:66)
There is no creature on the Earth which is not dependent upon God for its provision. He knows where it lives and where it dies. They are all in a clear book. (Qur’an, 11:6)
Your Lord revealed to the bees: “Build dwellings in the mountains and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord, which have been made easy for you to follow.” From inside them comes a drink of varying colors, containing healing for humanity. There is certainly a sign in that for people who reflect. (Qur’an, 16:68-69)
And humanity and beasts and livestock are likewise of varying colors. Only those of His servants with knowledge have fear of God... (Qur’an, 35:28)
Don’t you see that everyone in the heavens and Earth glorifies God, as do the birds with their outspread wings? Each one knows its prayer and glorification... (Qur’an, 24:41)
It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. (Qur’an, 16:10)
Don’t they see how We drive water to barren land and bring forth crops by it which their livestock and they themselves both eat?... (Qur’an, 32:27)
Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and Earth and all the creatures He has spread about in them. And He has the power to gather them together whenever He wills. (Qur’an, 42:29)
Everything in the heavens and Earth belongs to Him, and the religion belongs to Him, firmly and for ever. So why do you fear anyone other than God? (Qur’an, 16:52)
It is He Who made the sea subservient to you so that you can eat fresh flesh from it and bring out from it ornaments to wear... (Qur’an, 16:14)
Anything you catch in the sea is lawful for you, and all food from it, for your enjoyment and that of travelers... (Qur’an, 5:96)
You who believe! Do not make forbidden the good things God has made lawful for you, and do not overstep the limits... (Qur’an, 5:87)
Haven’t they seen how We created for them, by Our own handiwork, livestock which are under their control? We have made them tame for them and some they ride and some they eat. And they have other uses for them, and milk to drink. So will they not be thankful? (Qur’an, 36:71-73)
The metaphor of those who take protectors besides God is that of a spider which builds itself a house; but no house is flimsier than a spider’s house, if they only knew. (Qur’an, 29:41)
God is not ashamed to make an example of a mosquito or of an even smaller thing. As for those who believe, they know it is the truth from their Lord... (Qur’an, 2:26)
And luxuriant gardens and orchards and meadows, for you and your livestock to enjoy. (Qur’an, 80:30-32)
In the heavens and Earth there are certainly signs for the believers. And in your creation and all the creatures He has spread about there are signs for people with certainty. (Qur’an, 45:3-4)
God has given you wives from among yourselves, and given you children and grandchildren from your wives, and provided good things for you... (Qur’an, 16:72)
Have fear of Him Who has supplied you with what you know, supplied you with livestock and children and gardens and clear springs. (Qur’an, 26:132-134)
We have established you firmly on the Earth and granted you your livelihood in it. What little thanks you show! (Qur’an, 7:10)
And We put livelihoods in it both for you and for those you do not provide for. (Qur’an, 15:20)
Glory be to Him Who has the dominion of all things in His Hand. To Him you will be returned. (Qur’an, 36:83)
God knows the unseen of the heavens and Earth. God knows what the heart contains. (Qur’an, 35:38)
Have you thought about what you cultivate? Is it you who make it germinate or are We the Germinator? If We wished We could have made it broken stubble. You would then be left devoid of crops, distraught. (Qur’an, 56:63-65)
Don’t you see that God sends down water from the sky and then in the morning the Earth is covered in green? God is All-Subtle, All-Aware. (Qur’an, 22:63)
Know that God brings the Earth to life after it was dead. We have made the signs clear to you so that hopefully you will use your intellect. (Qur’an, 57:17)
Don’t you see that God sends down water from the sky and threads it through the Earth to emerge as springs and then by it brings forth crops of varying colors, which then wither and you see them turning yellow and then He makes them into broken stubble? There is a reminder in that for people of intelligence. (Qur’an, 39:21)
The keys of the unseen are in His possession. No one knows them but Him. He knows everything in the land and sea. No leaf falls without His knowing it. There is no seed in the darkness of the earth, and nothing moist or dry which is not in a clear book. (Qur’an, 6:59)
Oxygen, water, food, sunlight, day and night: your body needs these elements. And along with these, there are beauties which your soul finds pleasure in such as a beautiful view, a pleasant face to look at, or a welcoming home.
The world is full of such blessings, but some people are just not aware of them. They are so caught up in their own troubles that they don't see the wonders of the world. The reason for this negative spiritual state is their life remote from God's religion, and their state of disbelief. A troubled life is the inescapable result of a life not lived according to religious morals.
The approach which may be hoped to please God is that we see all the blessings of the Earth as His gifts to us, and that we live our lives in a state of thanks to Him. A person who lives according to this morality will take pleasure from the wonders and blessings from God, and will feel them every moment of his or her life.
... from the spathes of the date palm [We bring forth] date clusters hanging down, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, both similar and dissimilar. Look at their fruits as they bear fruit and ripen. There are signs in that for people who believe. (Qur’an, 6:99)
The metaphor of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is that of a grain which produces seven ears; in every ear there are a hundred grains. God gives such multiplied increase to whoever He wills. God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Qur’an, 2:261)
... they will have Gardens with rivers flowing under them. When they are given fruit there as provision, they will say: “This is what we were given before.” But they were only given a simulation of it... (Qur’an, 2:25)
In the Earth there are diverse regions side by side and gardens of grapes and cultivated fields, and palm-trees sharing one root and others with individual roots, all watered with the same water. And We make some things better to eat than others. There are signs in that for people who use their intellect. (Qur’an, 13:4)
Good land yields up its plants by its Lord’s permission, but that which is bad only yields up scantily. In this way We vary the signs for people who are thankful. (Qur’an, 7:58)
And a tree springing forth from Mount Sinai yielding oil and a seasoning to those who eat. (Qur’an, 23:20)
And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a sign in that for people who reflect. (Qur’an, 16:11)
[I swear] by the fig and the olive. (Qur’an, 95:1)
The herbs and the trees all bow down in prostration. (Qur’an, 55:6)
You who believe! Eat of the good things We have provided for you and give thanks to God if you worship Him alone. (Qur’an, 2:172)
We pour down plentiful water, then split the earth into furrows. Then We make grain grow in it, and grapes and herbs and olives and dates. (Qur’an, 80:25-29)
Don’t you see that God has subjected to you everything in the heavens and Earth and has showered His blessings upon you, both outwardly and inwardly?... (Qur’an, 31:20)
In them are fruits and date-palms and pomegranates. (Qur’an, 55:68)
We place in it gardens of dates and grapes... (Qur’an, 36:34)
And We sent down blessed water from the sky and made gardens grow by it and grain for harvesting. (Qur’an, 50:9)
There is nothing that does not have its stores with Us and We only send it down in a known measure. (Qur’an, 15:21)
By means of it We produce gardens of dates and grapes for you, in which there are many fruits for you and from which you eat. (Qur’an, 23:19)
... Eat of their fruits when they bear fruit and pay their due on the day of their harvest, and do not be profligate. He does not love the profligate. (Qur’an, 6:141)
Say: “My Lord expands the provision of anyone He wills or restricts it. But the majority of humanity do not know it.” (Qur’an, 34:36)
The modern buildings we live in, the luxurious cars we drive, the computers, the televisions, and all the other technology along these lines: these are all blessings created by God's will.
Technology is the result of mankind putting together certain elements found on Earth for specific purposes. If we look at technological products around us, we see that they are all composed of metals like iron, copper, zinc, and aluminum, or petroleum by-products like plastic. If these elements, in particular metals, did not exist on Earth, and if people were not able to use these elements, it would not be possible to develop any of these technological devices.
All the technology that we are used to in our daily life, and which makes our lives so much easier, has been created by God's will. Technology is a blessing which people should think about and for which should thank our Lord.
It is He Who created all the species and gave you ships and livestock for you to ride. (Qur’an, 43:12)
Don’t you see that ships sail on the sea by God’s blessing so that He can show you something of His signs?... (Qur’an, 31:31)
... And you see the ships cleaving through it so that you can seek His bounty, and so that hopefully you will show thanks. (Qur’an, 16:14)
We made everything on the Earth adornment for it so that We could test them to see whose actions are the best. We will certainly make everything on it a barren wasteland. (Qur’an, 18:7-8)
We have honored the sons of Adam and conveyed them on land and sea... (Qur’an, 17:70)
Don’t you see that God has made everything on the Earth subservient to you and the ships running upon the sea by His command?... (Qur’an, 22:65)
Earthquakes, volcano eruptions, floods, tornadoes, storms, fires… These are all disasters which have different levels of ferocity and effect. Their shared quality however is that in a short time, they are able to wipe out a city, as well as many of the human beings and animals living in it, and create huge damage. Most of the time, it is impossible to prevent this damage from occurring.
Natural disasters are a reality which most people don't want to think about as long as they are not confronted with one. And actually, life on Earth is so well-balanced that natural disasters are not a common occurrence. There is a special protection in place for all creatures, including humans. However God does sometimes show people how unsafe their lives and homes can be. The signs contained in natural disasters, a few examples of which will be shown in this chapter, are reasons to consider the weakness of humans before God, and to pay heed.
On the Day the first blast shudders. (Qur’an, 79:6)
When the Earth is convulsed. (Qur’an, 56:4)
When they saw it as a storm cloud advancing on their valleys they said: “This is a storm cloud which will give us rain.” No, rather it is what you desired to hasten – a wind containing painful punishment. (Qur’an, 46:24)
[A wind] destroying everything at its Lord’s command! When morning came you could see nothing but their dwellings. That is how We repay the people of the evildoers. (Qur’an, 46:25)
We unleashed a howling wind against them on a day of unremitting horror. It plucked up men like uprooted stumps. (Qur’an, 54:19-20)
That is some of the news of the cities which We relate to you. Some of them are still standing, while others are now just stubble. (Qur’an, 11:100)
We did not wrong them; rather they wronged themselves. The gods they called upon besides God did not help them at all when God’s command came upon them. They did nothing but increase their ruin. (Qur’an, 11:101)
It is He Who shows you the lightning, striking fear and bringing hope; it is He Who heaps up the heavy clouds. The thunder glorifies His praise, as do the angels, out of fear [and respect] of Him. He discharges the thunderbolts, striking with them anyone He wills. Yet still they argue about God when He is inexorable in His power! (Qur’an, 13:12-13)
When harm occurs to you at sea, those you call on vanish – except for Him alone! But when He delivers you to dry land, you turn away. Man truly is ungrateful. (Qur’an, 17:67)
Do you feel secure against Him causing the shore to swallow you up or sending against you a sudden squall of stones? Then you will find no one to be your guardian. (Qur’an, 17:68)
Yet they play around in doubt. So be on the watch for a day when heaven brings forth a distinctive smoke, which enshrouds humanity. This is a painful punishment! (Qur’an, 44:9-11)
When the oceans surge into each other. (Qur’an, 81:6)
[I swear] By the overflowing ocean. (Qur’an, 52:6)
No indeed! He will be flung into the shatterer. And what will convey to you what the shatterer is? The kindled fire of God reaching right into the heart. (Qur’an, 104:4-7)
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